Microsoft Abandons Windows 10’s Constant Forced Updates ("This is a big deal"-J.Biden)

How-To-Geek ^ | Apr 4, 2019 | Chris Hoffman

[dayglored]

Microsoft has a major announcement today: Windows 10 will no longer automatically install those big feature updates every six months. Home users can pause smaller updates, too. In fact, Windows will even let you pause updates after checking for them!

This is huge. It’s Microsoft’s biggest change in Windows strategy since the company released Windows 10. Microsoft is giving up on “Windows as a service” that is automatically updated outside of your control.

[Here's the announcement from Microsoft]

https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/04/04/improving-the-windows-10-update-experience-with-control-quality-and-transparency/

[dayglored]

BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!!

Read the How-To-Geek article -- there's a lot there that I can't excerpt/post here easily.

[dayglored]

Windows 10 Update Policy Change... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

[butlerweave]

but remember , an updated computer is a mostly safer computer ,LOL

[dayglored]

Here's the Microsoft announce, clickable.

https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/04/04/improving-the-windows-10-update-experience-with-control-quality-and-transparency/

[Fido969]

I wonder if anyone uses Windows for mission-critical applications such as military or space-flight.

I remember years ago bring my daughter to the hospital when she was very sick, and the receptionist asked us some questions and then stared at the windows hourglass for a few minutes. The doctor came out, looked at what was happening, and told my daughter to get into the examining room.

[CatOwner]

All is fine until they stop providing security patches for Windows 7 starting next January. Once that happens, forget about logging into any critical account under that operating system. One way or another, Microsoft will get most to convert. A very small percentage will opt for Apple/Mac or Linux, not enough to be a concern for Microsoft.

We have a couple of Windows 7 PCs that are five years old, and it is about this time I usually start looking for replacements. Not exactly sure what I will do. For my wife, it has to be simple.

[polymuser]

Nice. Now if DirecTV will stop calling me every day since I dropped them...

[LostInBayport]

I’m waiting for the announcement that says they will continue to support Windows 7 indefinitely.

[ConservativeMind]

This is amazing and great news. We have Windows 10 on two systems at home.

However, this policy and the privacy issues with Windows 10 made me try Linux Mint, so I do use that often, now. Also, my wife is expecting to get an Apple computer for her next system.

We were both completely happy with Windows 7 and were very willing to PAY for the upgrade path, if Windows 10 hadn’t been so hostile toward us and everyone we know.

Microsoft so screwed that pooch. We hate Microsoft, now, and continue to help others migrate away from Microsoft, forever.

[dayglored]

> I’m waiting for the announcement that says they will continue to support Windows 7 indefinitely.

Don't hold your breath. I'd bet the rent that, having learned from the XP experience, they won't extend it past Jan 2020 for anything, not for love nor money,... well, maybe money. If your pockets are deep enough you can keep getting security updates (true).

[NoLibZone]

Me
Vista
8
10

[dayglored]

> I wonder if anyone uses Windows for mission-critical applications such as military or space-flight.

Yeah, the military (ours and Britain's and probably a few others) integrated Windows XP years ago into the control and/or monitoring systems. And it's still there.

I don't have the links right at hand, but Google is your friend -- there are recurring tech articles about the compromised security that has resulted from the military using Windows in mission critical applications.

[ConservativeMind]

At the 35 day mark of refusals, it will auto-install and you can’t stop it.

[moovova]

What’s THIS gonna cost me.

[Still Thinking]

[checking out Windows for airborne porcines]

However, before we get too excited, I note it only says “feature updates”. Not that I have anything against security updates per se, but NO update should ever be beyond the control of the purchaser of the hardware/OS/software. E-V-E-R.

[whodathunkit]

A first responders mission critical scenario that calls for rapid deployment of a search team from a mobile command center, requiring printout of grid maps to pass to team members. Anddddd...Do not turn off your computer, Windows is updating and will restart when it is damn well ready!

Sorry Bill, that’s unforgivable forever and now use rock solid linux for real work.

[doorgunner69]

That forced control of your PC is one of the main reasons i stay with 7. The “We know what is best for you” control turned me off Apple products decades ago and Win 10 same-same.

[teacherwoes]

You can only delay it 7 days at a time for 5 times. I suppose if you forget and wait until day 8 to delay then it will update.

[Boogieman]

Meh, they say they are stopping it, but I bet if you wait a few months, we’ll find out there are still updates that they are forcing on users any way.

[SaveFerris]

Yeah, I’ve got 8.1 on two machines and would have had 7 had it been an option. 10? No way.